The Australian Government has established a First Nations expert working group to help inform standalone legislation to protect First Nations traditional knowledge and intellectual property.
The working group will provide advice on the development of the legislation, which is aiming to address the harm caused by fake First Nation art on merchandise and souvenirs.
This will deliver on key actions in Revive, Australia’s National Cultural Policy and ensure legislation is underpinned by First Nations expertise and lived experience.
Members will collaborate with representatives from relevant Government departments to establish an Indigenous Knowledge Partnership.
The primary outcome of the legislation is to legally recognise the cultural rights First Nations peoples have in relation to their traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, and to provide legally-enforceable remedies for the infringement of these rights.
The eight individuals selected for the working group through an open and competitive tender process are:
- Dr Terri Janke (Chair)
- James Morgan
- Dr Alana Gall
- Aurora Milroy
- Craig Aspinall
- Professor Deen Justin Sanders OAM
- Bibi Barba
- Chrissy Grant
For more information about protecting Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights, visit ICIP | Office for the Arts.